Union Pacific 4-8-4 844 and its fifteen car train descends southern California's San Timoteo Canyon (the western side of Beaumont Hill) on November 17, 2011. As it passed, there was virtually no c... (more)

Union Pacific train SYUWC 17 arrives at West Colton Yard in Bloomington, California on November 17, 2011. Scheduled for a Noon arrival, the train finally rolled in at 4:00!

UP 844 glides over the Mojave River. Location scouting the day before paid off as 844 lines up exactly as I had envisioned, putting on an impressive exhaust that weaves into and out of the girders... (more)

Union Pacific's steam special from West Colton to Yermo works its way up Cajon Pass as a break in the clouds allows sun light through for a brief moment to illuminate the train.

UP 844 backing next to the river for it's rest in Cape Girardeau.

On this Sunday morning, 844 approaches the last bridge of Afton Canyon on its way to what would turn out to be a long stop in Kelso, CA.

UP 844 has to run the wye to get onto BNSF tracks to shove into Cape Girardeau for the night.

Crossing over the White River, 844 pounds it's way closer to it's overnite stay in the big metropolis of Bald Knob, AR.

"The Beast" rolls across a bridge just outside Dupo.

UP 844 makes its run up Cajon Pass. We got lucky as the light just popped out before the train arrived at our location above Summit.

The sun breaks free of the dark clouds hanging over Cajon pass and shines on the UP 844 as she leads her special into Cajon Summit. After a brief service stop she will be on her way down the hill.

UP 844 storms along a single track portion of UP's Gila Sub near MP 861, east of Gila Bend, AZ. The 844 will briefly stop in Gila Bend for service.

UP 844 gallups along UP's Gila Sub just west of Maricopa, AZ; MP 893. The 844 is well on her way towards her next service stop/brief display in Gila Bend. The big FEF-3 is heading for Yuma, AZ for... (more)

Hitting nearly 70 mph many times, the 844 races at full speed downhill toward Bowie, AZ and an unscheduled whistle stop.